NRL star Nicho Hynes opens up about mental health anguish and his new mission to save lives
- Sharks star Nicho Hynes admits he had a tough time growing up
- Halfback pushes Cronulla’s first Mental Fitness Round
- He says changing lives feels better than trying
Cronulla Sharks superstar Nicho Hynes has opened up about his mental anguish growing up, and his new mission to give back and save lives.
Hynes had a difficult childhood, with his parents splitting up when he was a toddler. Then his stepfather lost his life in a truck accident when he fell asleep at the wheel.
While his mother was in and out of prison, Nicho lived with his father Mick Wilson and brother Wade. At times his mental health suffered and he fell into a depressive state.
“It was 2017 and I was a shell of myself,” Hynes said News Corp.
‘I didn’t know where I would ever be. I had no idea about life.”
Nicho Hynes (pictured) says he struggled mentally at times growing up
The Sharks star is launching Mental Fitness Round on Sunday to raise awareness
These days the talented halfback is at the top of his game and is excited to take on Cronulla’s first Mental Fitness Round, which gets underway on Sunday against the Dragons.
“I have been a huge advocate of my story and speaking out about mental health over the years. “I’ve talked about it out loud so much, so I have to keep doing it,” he said.
“I felt like if I want to be someone who advocates and speaks out, I have to do something about it.
“There is no better feeling than seeing a young child or someone messaging me to tell me I changed their life.
‘I don’t mean it arrogantly at all. But that’s better than scoring a try in any football game.
‘Sometimes we forget the impact we can have on people.
‘Off the field I would like to make a mark. It’s hard to put into words how I feel when someone tells me I was able to do that.”
Hynes says he’s also paying more attention to his teammates to see if they’re struggling.
Hynes (pictured with his mother) says helping young people feels better than saving lives
“There are so many different angles and pressures that come at you as a professional rugby league player that a lot of people don’t see,” he said.
“I will pay attention to the fact that when one of the players walks through the door, he may not have as much energy as usual, or he may not have a smile on his face that day.
“I think there are a lot of guys who are looking at that player before I even get him.”